Movie review: 'The Roommate'

Jaimie Trueblood/Sony

"You said I could have the bed on the left!"

"You said I could have the bed on the left!" (Jaimie Trueblood/Sony)

Matt PaisRedEye movie critic

**1/2 (out of four)

At what appears to be a college for former models, Sara (Minka “Sexiest Woman Alive” Kelly of the phenomenal “Friday Night Lights”) arrives with a strong sense of self and interest in fashion design. Her possessive, socially awkward roommate Rebecca (Leighton Meester, “Gossip Girl”), on the other hand, arrives with a passion for art and a fondness for dirty looks that seem to foretell more extreme behavior to come. Other pretty people are played by Aly Michalka (“Hellcats”), Cam Gigandet (“Burlesque”) and Danneel Harris (“The Back-up Plan”).

The buzz: Kelly says the film is “loosely based” on “Single White Female,” which is like saying Pepsi is somewhat reminiscent of Coke. Besides, in “SWF” the characters had a dog and lived in New York, and in “The Roommate” they have a cat in Los Angeles, so it’s totally different.The verdict: To answer your questions: Yes, there is angry hair-pulling and (in a different scene, sorry) girls making out. No, there’s no nudity in this tame yet trashy, PG-13 thriller, which does benefit from taking place at a time when young, insecure people often emulate those they admire. Obviously the movie’s not original and, not surprisingly, does nothing to explore the inherent uncertainty and personal transformations of the college experience. As if anyone cares. The low-aiming hopes for “The Roommate” are a couple creepy moments (protect your belly ring, kids) and numerous unintentional laughs, which meet their quota with great stuff like Sara naming her kitten Cuddles and director Christian E. Christiansen (that’s really his name) absurdly transitioning from a painting of a person’s eye into a shot of a Thanksgiving turkey. That’s excellent, accidental awfulness, and a sense of humor about garbage like this goes a long way.Did you know? Sara’s sleazy professor (terribly/awesomely played by Chicago native Billy Zane) says that two things that can’t be taught are style and desire. Which serves only as a reminder that the guy doesn’t seem to know much about things that can be taught.mpais@tribune.com